Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today was joined by Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner David J. Burney to open New York City's first combined firehouse and EMS station. The new facility houses Battalion 47, Engine Company 265, Ladder Company 121 and EMS Battalion 47. Located at 303 Beach 49th Street in Queens, the Fire and EMS units will serve the Arverne, Far Rockaway and Rockaway Beach neighborhoods. DDC managed the design and construction of the $10 million facility. Construction began in May, 2003 and was completed in October, 2004.

"The combined firehouse and EMS station will greatly improve the working environment for our emergency workers and better serve the surrounding community," said Mayor Bloomberg. "This new state-of-the-art facility is part of our ongoing efforts to improve all FDNY facilities so our firefighters and EMT's have the best working conditions. Facilities like this will ensure that the department is even stronger in the future, and that New York's Best and New York's Bravest continue to live up to those well-earned titles for many years to come."

"To better serve the people of this community, we've combined our fire and emergency medical services in a state-of-the-art work facility that will ensure that our members are able to operate efficiently and safely in their response area," said Commissioner Scoppetta. "This facility represents a continuing commitment from the City to provide New Yorkers with the finest fire protection and pre-hospital care in the country."

"The DDC is delighted to have completed another project that supports the Fire Department's operations," said Commissioner David J. Burney, AIA. "This station is one of a new generation of state-of-the-art facilities that will house Battalion 47, Engine 265, Ladder 121 and EMS Battalion 47 as they provide essential services to this community."

The new combined firehouse and EMS station can accommodate indoor parking for 6 ambulances, one engine, one ladder and one battalion vehicle. There are offices for both Fire and EMS officers, a house watch, lounge, separate Fire and EMS bunk rooms, female and male locker rooms and tool areas. There is also an EMS supply room for advanced and basic life support equipment, an oxygen storage room, a decontamination bay, dining and kitchen areas, a gym and outdoor parking for 25 vehicles.

Engine 265 and Ladder 121 were originally located at 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard. Nicknamed "The Best on the Beach," their firehouse was built in 1929, and after nearly 75 years of operating out of that location the firehouse was deemed unfit to continue fire operations due to a sinking apparatus floor and crumbling walls. Similarly, EMS Battalion 47 was operating out of a leased building at 415 Beach 72nd Street that had also eroded over the years. During construction of the new combined facility both fire and EMS continued to operate at their respective locations until completion of the project.